2019 NCTA Freeman Book Awards

The National Consortium for Teaching about Asia has announced the winners of the 2019 Freeman Book Awards. The awards honor East and Southeast Asian titles for children and young adults. The award is sponsored by the NCTA, the Committee on Teaching about Asia of the Association for Asian Studies, and Asia for Educators at Columbia University. Here are the winners:

WINNER CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota's Garden

The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Garden by Heather Smith, illustrated by Rachel Wada

 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Kana Urbanowicz

The Moose of Ewenki

The Moose of Ewenki by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane, illustrated by Jiu Er

When Spring Comes to the DMZ

When Spring Comes to the DMZ by Uk-Bae Lee

 

WINNERS YOUNG ADULT/MIDDLE SCHOOL LITERATURE

All the Ways Home

All the Ways Home by Elsie Chapman

A Place to Belong

A Place to Belong by Cynthia Kadohata

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Girl of the Southern Sea

Girl of the Southern Sea by Michelle Kadarusman

 

WINNERS YOUNG ADULT/HIGH SCHOOL LITERATURE

The Weight of Our Sky

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

Patron Saints of Nothing

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Indigo Girl

Indigo Girl by Suzanne Kermit

News to Wake Your Brain Cells January 24

CHILDREN’S BOOK

9 books to help calm an anxious toddler – NY Times

Charles Yu loves reading with his children. Don’t tell them. – NY Times

‘Fairies are for white girls’: Zetta Elliot and her journey on making children’s literature inclusive – The Daily of the University of Washington

In the 2010s, Jewish children’s books diversified but emphasized classic values – The Jewish News of Northern California

Surprising brain scans show what reading and screen time can do to the brain – The Hill

LIBRARIES

Beyond books: Minnesota’s rural libraries find playful ways to remain relevant – StarTribune

Cleveland Public Library employees plan to strike, officials say move will disrupt children’s programs – Cleveland 19

Missouri lawmaker proposes bill criminalizing public libraries’ drag queen story hours – NBC News

The world’s most beautiful libraries: Wiblingen and Schussenried Abbeys – Daily Beast

YA LIT

San Diego author channels Vietnamese culture in latest ‘Green Lantern’ novel – Times of San Deigo